nuclear option

English

Etymology

From analogy with the political decision to be the first to use nuclear weapons in a war.

Noun

nuclear option (plural nuclear options)

1. (idiomatic) In resolving a problem, the possible course of action that is considered the most extreme because of its collateral consequences.
   • 2022 May 14, Richard Fausset, quoting Matt Storey, “Beach Houses on the Outer Banks Are Being Swallowed by the Sea”, in The New York Times‎^[1], →ISSN:

     Mr. Storey said his “nuclear option” was moving to Ocean Drive and living in his house full time, but that, too, came with obvious risks.

   • 2023 May 15, Charlie Campbell, “The Voting in Thailand’s Election Is Finished, But the Politicking Is Just Beginning”, in Time‎^[2]:

     In a land that has weathered 12 military coups in the past 91 years, the specter of military intervention looms large, though Thitinan calls it a “nuclear option” given the challenges any new junta would face.

2. (US politics) A procedure by which the United States Senate can decide any issue with a simple majority, rather than the usual supermajority.
   • 2017 April 5, Steven Waldman, “Learning to Love the Nuclear Option”, in The New York Times‎^[3], →ISSN:

     So now that the Republicans have used the nuclear option to kill the poor filibuster to clear the way for the elevation of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court, we can lose perspective.